BROILER FOR A FOOD PREPARATION APPLIANCE

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of food preparation appliances intended for mixing food preparations.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to a whisk accessory intended for whipping food preparations, as well as to a food preparation appliance comprising such a whisk accessory. State of the art

[0003] Document WO2012 / 110427 discloses a food preparation appliance comprising a whisk arranged in a working container. The whisk comprises a drive head and loop-shaped wires. The ends of the wires are attached to the drive head. The wires define a main cage which extends away from the inner wall of the working container. The whisk also comprises strands defining a deformable cage. This deformable cage extends around the main cage. This whisk is effective both for processing ingredients introduced in small quantities into the working container and for processing ingredients introduced in larger quantities, particularly when making viscous preparations. A disadvantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that the strands of the deformable cage can generate a lot of splashing. Summary of the invention

[0004] An aim of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a whisk for a food preparation appliance, which makes it possible to minimize splashing, while exhibiting good whipping efficiency.

[0005] Another aim of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a food preparation appliance comprising a whisk which makes it possible to minimize splashing, while exhibiting good whipping efficiency.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a whisk for a food preparation appliance, said whisk comprising a drive head, loop-shaped wires defining a main cage, and loop-shaped strands defining a deformable complementary cage having less rigidity than the main cage, said complementary cage comprising a flexible lower part extending outside the main cage, due to the fact that the maximum diameter of the casing of the complementary cage is less than the maximum diameter of the casing of the main cage, so that the flexible lower part extends only below the main cage, and not around the maximum diameter of the casing of the main cage.The envelope of the main cage or the complementary cage is defined by the rotation of the main cage or the complementary cage around the axis of rotation of the whisk, this axis of rotation corresponding to the axis of the drive head. These arrangements make it possible to favor the contact of the flexible lower portion(s) with a bottom portion of a working container, which makes it possible to mix the food preparation effectively and to initiate its foaming, while avoiding contact of the flexible lower portion(s) with a side wall of said working container, which helps to minimize splashing.

[0007] The flexible lower part can extend away from the wires. This arrangement helps promote the expansion of food and limits the centrifugation of food during the initial preparation phase.

[0008] The additional cage can extend partially inside the main cage. This arrangement makes it easier to make the whip.

[0009] The additional cage may have an intermediate portion extending inside the main cage between the drive head and the flexible lower portion. This arrangement makes it easier to make the whip.

[0010] Each strand may have two strand ends attached to the drive head and each strand may include a flexible lower portion that is less rigid than the wires and the strand ends. This arrangement makes it easier to make the whip. This arrangement allows for better control of the deformation of the flexible lower portion.

[0011] Said flexible lower portion may be made, at least partially, and preferably entirely, from a plastic material, such as a polymer material of the polyamide, polypropylene or elastomer type, in particular POM. This arrangement makes it possible to use a flexible lower portion having a larger cross-section than the more rigid wires of the main cage, which contributes to improving the expansion of the food preparation.

[0012] The or each strand may comprise two rigid upper portions each having an upper end forming the strand end attached to the drive head and a lower end extended by said flexible lower portion. Thus the upper part of said strand or of each of said strands has greater rigidity than the lower part of said strand or of each of said strands.

[0013] The lower ends of the rigid upper portions may have a convergent orientation. This arrangement allows the upper part of the flexible lower portion(s) to be oriented towards the lower end of the whisk, which helps to limit the deformation of the flexible lower portion(s), and to minimize splashing when using the whisk.

[0014] The flexible lower portions may be overmolded onto the lower ends of the rigid upper portions. Alternatively, the flexible lower portions could be threaded onto the lower ends of the rigid upper portions.

[0015] The lower ends of the rigid upper portions may have conformations, the flexible lower portions being overmolded onto said conformations. This arrangement makes it possible to improve the hold of the overmolded parts on the rigid upper portions.

[0016] The rigid upper portions can be made of metallic material, for example stainless steel wire.

[0017] The main cage wires can be made of metallic material, for example stainless steel wire.

[0018] The length(s) of the strands may be greater than the length(s) of the wires.

[0019] The whip may comprise two crossed strands connected together by a connecting element placed at the intersection of the two strands in the flexible lower part.

[0020] The whisk can have two strands and two sets of three wires, each set of three wires being inserted between the two strands. This arrangement helps to achieve good whipping, especially for preparations made in large quantities.

[0021] The invention also relates to a culinary preparation appliance, comprising a working container, a motor driving a transmission member in rotation, if desired with a planetary movement, and at least one whisk comprising a drive head driven by the transmission member, in which said at least one whisk conforms to at least one of the aforementioned characteristics.

[0022] The flexible lower part can come into contact with the working container when the whisk is moved, driven by the transmission member. This arrangement improves the whipping of the preparation, particularly when small quantities of food are used.

[0023] The flexible lower part can only come into contact with the bottom of the working container, without coming into contact with a side wall of the working container. This arrangement helps to limit splashing, especially when larger quantities of food are used.

[0024] The main cage can remain at a distance from the working container when the whip is moved by the transmission member. This arrangement helps to minimize the noise generated when using the whip. Brief description of the figures

[0025] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: [ Fig. 1 ] There [ Fig. 1] is a partial elevation and sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a food preparation appliance comprising a whisk according to the invention. Fig.2 ] There [ Fig.2 ] is a side view of the whip shown in the [ Fig. 1 ], [ Fig.3 ] There [ Fig.3 ] is a perspective view of the whip illustrated in the Figures 1 and 2 , [ Fig.4 ] There [ Fig.4 ] is a bottom view of the whip shown in the figures 1 to 3 , [ Fig.5 ] There [ Fig.5 ] is a top view of the whip shown in the figures 1 to 4 , [ Fig.6 ] There [ Fig.6 ] is a side view of the whip shown in the figures 1 to 5 , in which the lower flexible portions have been removed. [ Fig.7 ] There [ Fig.7 ] is a bottom view of the whip shown in the figures 1 to 5 , in which the lower flexible portions have been removed.

[0026] There [ Fig. 1] partially illustrates a food preparation appliance 1, of the food processor or mixer type. The food preparation appliance 1 comprises a working container 2 and a motor (not shown) driving in rotation, via a transmission member 3, at least one whisk 10. If desired, the transmission member can be driven by a planetary movement.

[0027] The whip 10 illustrated on the figures 1 to 5 comprises a drive head 11 configured to be driven by the transmission member 3. The drive head 11 has flat-shaped conformations 12 intended to be inserted into the transmission member 3 to transmit a rotational movement to the whip 10.

[0028] As best seen on the figures 2 to 5 , the whip 10 comprises loop-shaped wires 20. As clearly visible on the figures 2 And 3, the wires 20 define a main cage 26. As best seen on the [ Fig.3 ], the wires 20 have two wire ends 21 attached to the drive head 11. Preferably the wire ends 21 are attached to the drive head 11 in opposite directions. The wires 20 are preferably rigid. The wires 20 may in particular be made of metallic material, preferably stainless steel wire. The wires 20 may be of the same length, or of different lengths.

[0029] As best seen on the Figures 4 and 5 , the whip 10 comprises six wires forming six main loops. The diameter of the wires is for example between 1.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0030] As best seen on the figures 2 to 5, the whip 10 also comprises loop-shaped strands 30. The strands 30 define a complementary cage 36. The strands 30 have two strand ends 31 attached to the drive head 11. Preferably the strand ends 31 are attached to the drive head 11 in opposite directions. The strands 30 of the complementary cage 36 have a greater length than the wires 20 of the main cage 26. The strands 30 may be of the same length, or of different lengths.

[0031] The complementary cage 36 extends partly outside the main cage 26. More particularly, the complementary cage 36 comprises a flexible lower part 37 extending outside the main cage 26. The flexible lower part 37 is arranged opposite the drive head 11. As seen in the Figures 1 and 2, the complementary cage 36 extends partially inside the main cage 26. The flexible lower part 37 extends at a distance from the wires 20.

[0032] As seen in particular on the figures 2 And 4 , the maximum diameter of the envelope of the complementary cage 36 is less than the maximum diameter of the envelope of the main cage 26. Thus the flexible lower part 37 extends only below the main cage 26, and not around the maximum diameter of the envelope of the main cage 26.

[0033] Each strand 30 comprises a flexible lower portion 32 less rigid than the wires 20 and than the strand ends 31. The flexible lower portions 32 are made, at least partially, and preferably entirely, from a plastic material, such as a polymer material of the polyamide, polypropylene or elastomer type, in particular POM.

[0034] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, each strand 30 comprises two rigid upper portions 33 each having an upper end forming the strand end 31 attached to the drive head 11 and a lower end 34 extended by the flexible lower portion 32. In other words, the flexible lower portion 32 of each strand 30 connects the two lower ends 34 of the two rigid upper portions 33 of each strand 30. Preferably, the rigid upper portions 33 are made of a metallic material, for example stainless steel wire. If desired, the rigid upper portions 33 can be made of the same material as the wires 20.

[0035] As clearly visible on the figures 2 And 3 , the flexible lower portions 32 extend outside a lower part of the main cage 26 opposite the drive head 11. As best seen in the [ Fig.2], the complementary cage 36 has an intermediate part extending inside the main cage 26 between the drive head 11 and the flexible lower part 37. In other words, the strands 30 have a central portion extending outside the main cage 26, but between the drive head 11 and said central part the strands 30 extend at least partially inside the main cage 26.

[0036] As best seen on the Figures 4 and 5 , the whip 10 comprises two strands 30 forming two complementary loops. More particularly, the complementary loops are arranged perpendicularly. Three wires 20 are interposed between two strands 30. Preferably, the wires 20 and the strands 30 are distributed regularly around the drive head 11.

[0037] The two strands 30 are crossed and are connected to each other by a connecting element 40 arranged at the intersection of the two strands 30 in the flexible lower part 37.

[0038] THE figures 6 And 7 represent the whip 10 in which the lower flexible portions 32 of the strands 30 have been removed. As clearly visible on the [ Fig.6 ], the lower ends 34 of the rigid upper portions 33 have a convergent orientation. The flexible lower portions 32 may in particular be overmolded onto the lower ends 34 of the rigid upper portions 33. For this purpose, the lower ends 34 of the rigid upper portions 33 have conformations 35 onto which the flexible lower portions 32 are overmolded. As a variant, the flexible lower portions 32 could in particular be slipped onto the lower ends 34 of the rigid upper portions 33.

[0039] The food preparation appliance 1 and the whisk 10 are used as follows.

[0040] The food preparation appliance 1 has a working configuration, shown in the [ Fig. 1 ], in which the main cage 26 and the complementary cage 36 of the whip 10 are immersed in the working container 2.

[0041] In the working configuration of the food preparation appliance 1, at least one of the flexible lower portions 32, and preferably each of the flexible lower portions 32, can come into contact with a bottom portion of the working container 2. Thus, during the movement of the whisk 10 driven by the transmission member 3, the flexible lower portion 37 comes into contact with the working container 2. Preferably, only the flexible lower portions 32 of the strands 30 come into contact with the working container 2. In other words, the flexible lower portion 37 comes into contact only with a bottom 4 of the working container 2 without coming into contact with a side wall 5 of the working container 2. The bottom 4 has an inclination of less than 45° relative to the perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the transmission member driving the drive head 11.The side wall 5 has an inclination greater than 45° relative to the perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the transmission member driving the drive head 11. The side wall 5 can extend the bottom 4 without breaking the slope.

[0042] However, in this working configuration, the main cage 26 does not come into contact with the working container 2. Thus, during the movement of the whip 10 driven by the transmission member 3, the wires 20 do not come into contact with the working container 2. In other words, the main cage 26 remains at a distance from the working container 2 during the movement of the whip 10 driven by the transmission member 3.

[0043] The user places the food to be processed, for example egg whites to be whipped, in the working container 2, mounts the whisk 10 on the transmission member, and starts the food preparation appliance 1 having the working configuration. When the quantity of egg whites used is small, only the lower flexible portions 32 are in contact with the egg whites when the egg whites are still liquid. When the quantity of egg whites is larger, at least one of the wires 20 can also be in contact with the egg whites when the egg whites are still liquid. The agitation of the whisk 10 in the working container 2 helps to incorporate air into the egg whites, which causes them to foam and therefore an increase in the volume of the preparation present in the working container 2.The fact that the flexible lower portion 37 extends only below the main cage 26, and not around the maximum diameter of the casing of the main cage 26, helps to limit splashing during preparation when larger quantities of egg white are used. The whisk 10 is thus efficient and pleasant to use.

[0044] Alternatively, the whisk 10 is not necessarily used with a food preparation appliance 1 comprising a housing carrying a working container 2 and comprising a transmission member 3 arranged above the working container 2 and provided for mounting the drive head 11 in order to drive the whisk 10. The whisk 10 could in particular be used with a food preparation appliance 1 of the mixer type comprising a portable housing comprising a transmission member 3 provided for mounting the drive head 11 in order to drive the whisk 10, in which the whisk 10 is moved manually by the user in a working container.

[0045] Alternatively, at least one of the strands 30 may have an upper portion extending partially or entirely outside the main cage 26. The ends of strand 31 may belong to said upper portion.

[0046] Various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Whisk (10) for a food preparation appliance, said whisk (10) comprising a drive head (11), wires (20) in the form of a loop defining a main cage (26), and strands (30) formed into a loop defining a deformable additional cage (36) of lower rigidity than the main cage (26), said additional cage (36) comprising a flexible lower part (37) extending outside of the main cage (26), characterized in that the maximum diameter of the envelope of the additional cage (36) is less than the maximum diameter of the envelope of the main cage (26), so that the flexible lower part (37) extends only below the main cage (26) and not around the maximum diameter of the envelope of the main cage (26).

2. Whisk (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible lower part (37) extends at a distance from the wires (20).

3. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the additional cage (36) extends partially inside the main cage (26).

4. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the additional cage (36) has an intermediate part extending inside the main cage (26) between the drive head (11) and the flexible lower part (37).

5. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each strand (30) has two strand ends (31) attached to the drive head (11) and in that each strand (30) comprises a flexible lower portion (32) of lower rigidity than the wires (20) and than the strand ends (31).

6. Whisk (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said flexible lower portion (32) is made, at least partially, and preferably entirely, of a plastics material, such as a polymer material of the polyamide or polypropylene type, or an elastomer, in particular POM.

7. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that each strand (30) comprises two rigid upper portions (33) each having an upper end forming the strand end (31) attached to the drive head (11) and a lower end (34) extended by said flexible lower portion (32).

8. Whisk (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the lower ends (34) of the rigid upper portions (33) have a converging orientation.

9. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the flexible lower portions (32) are overmoulded onto the lower ends (34) of the rigid upper portions (33).

10. Whisk (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower ends (34) of the rigid upper portions (33) have shaped sections (35) and in that the flexible lower portions (32) are overmoulded onto the shaped sections (35).

11. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the rigid upper portions (33) are made of a metallic material, for example stainless steel wire.

12. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the length(s) of the strands (30) is / are greater than the length(s) of the wires (20).

13. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the whisk (10) comprises two crossed strands (30) connected to each other by a connecting element (40) arranged at the crossing of the two strands (30) in the flexible lower part (37).

14. Whisk (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the whisk (10) comprises two strands (30) and two sets of three wires (20), and in that each set of three wires (20) is interposed between the two strands (30).

15. Food preparation appliance (1), comprising a working container (2), a motor turning a transmission member (3), with a planetary movement if so desired, and at least one whisk (10) comprising a drive head (11) driven by the transmission member (3), characterized in that said at least one whisk (10) is in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. Food preparation appliance (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the flexible lower part (37) comes into contact with the working container (2) during movement of the whisk (10) driven by the transmission member (3).

17. Food preparation appliance (1) according to any one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the flexible lower part (37) comes only into contact with a bottom (4) of the working container (2), without coming into contact with a side wall (5) of the working container (2).

18. Food preparation appliance (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the main cage (26) remains at a distance from the working container (2) during movement of the whisk (10) driven by the transmission member (3).